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Commentary

The four headshots of the students interviewed for this entry in the SHIFT Chronicles.

SHIFT Chronicles: Student views on the proper role of a school board

The SHIFT Chronicles is a monthly feature dedicated to amplifying student voices, where those most impacted by the public education system share their thoughts, reflections, and experiences. In collaboration with FaithBridge SHIFT fellows, these commentaries offer a genuine glimpse into the challenges students are facing within our city’s schools. These students represent a diverse range of schools across the city, each with distinct cultures and expectations, yet all united under the DPS banner. A special thank you to all the student writers who contributed their entries. This month’s entries focus on student views of the appropriate role of the Denver school board.

SHIFT Chronicles: Student views on the proper role of a school board Read More »

The headshots of the three podcast guests.

Podcast episode 24: Incumbent DPS board candidates refused to come on the podcast. So we examine their records without them.

In this episode, Transform Education (TEN) Now Executive Director Nicholas Hernández discusses with hosts Alexis Menocal Harrigan and Alan Gottlieb the records of Denver school board candidates (and incumbents) Xóchitl Gaytán, Michelle Quattlebaum, and Scott Esserman. These three incumbents are running for reelection. We would have preferred to interview them, as we have most other candidates. They have served during one of the more tumultuous times in Denver Public Schools board history. They have been in the middle of multiple controversies, and they have a lot of explaining to do. But all three refused to come on the podcast, or to attend TEN community forums. So we examine their records without their participation.

Podcast episode 24: Incumbent DPS board candidates refused to come on the podcast. So we examine their records without them. Read More »

A graphic showing DPS test score data.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 20: The hard truths DPS won’t tell you about its test score results

In this episode of the Boardhawk podcast, hosts Alexis Menocal Harrigan and Alan Gottlieb have an in-depth discussion on 2025 state test score results for Denver with educational consult and data expert Maya Lagana. While there are some sings of post-pandemic improvement, the data show that low-income students of color in Denver Public Schools continue to struggle academically, and achievement gaps have widened substantially since CMAS’ first year, 2017.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 20: The hard truths DPS won’t tell you about its test score results Read More »

A graphic of the DPS logo with lightning in the background.

A grizzled veteran’s long view of 2025 Denver school board races

I have decided to not participate in this year’s school board election, having followed and/or been involved in some way in more than a dozen such elections over the last 20 years. I will not contribute money to any campaigns, do any fundraising or any other work on any school board races. Instead, I want to do more observation, learning, and reflection as a grizzled old public education advocate.

A grizzled veteran’s long view of 2025 Denver school board races Read More »

An illustration of a school board argument.

Ten questions to ask candidates that get at the heart of being a productive school board member

instead of just learning about their theoretical stances that they squeezed into whatever political box was closest to them , there are additional questions that we should be asking candidates to better understand how school board candidates plan on being productive in the seat. 

Ten questions to ask candidates that get at the heart of being a productive school board member Read More »